Support for Blitz appeal

Support is starting to pour in for The Star’s campaign to have a Blitz Memorial Walk in Sheffield city centre.

Sheffield author Neil Anderson, who is masterminding the idea, says that cheques are arriving every day and the total has topped £1,000.

City firm Llama Digital have offered help in kind, worth more than £3,000.

The Star is backing Neil’s bid to have a memorial walk through the city centre, telling the story, with steel plaques marking 16 key spots. We’re helping to raise £15,000 of the £150,000 total.

A Blitz Heritage Trail will feature listening posts and leaflets will also trace the route. A series of events will mark the 75th anniversary.

Sheffielders have started to come forward with their memories of the Blitz.

Arthur Kenneth Slinn, who is now 94, vividly remembers December 12, 1940.

He recalls leaving work at Firth Browns on Carlisle Street and walking to Spital Hill towards the city centre.

He said: “I saw two trams on fire. Police and firemen shouted at me to come back and not go a step further.

“I continued up to Lady’s Bridge past the old market at Dixon Lane. Burton’s dummies were laid in the street. I thought they were people.”

All around were flames and explosions.

At home inArbourthorne he found his parents watching the terrifying scene.

To support the appeal, log on to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sheffield-blitz-75th. Donations can also be made to the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust bank account (account number 52118665, sort code 54-41-47) or cheques can be sent to Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, 88 Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield S7 2QP.